South Bend schools start forums on scheduling

Clay event starts discussions about trimester proposal.

Clay event starts discussions about trimester proposal.

SOUTH BEND Â? "We'll have to change the way we teach," said Gene Hollenberg, director of high school programs for the South Bend Community School Corp.

He was answering a parent's question Tuesday about what would happen if the four public high schools move to a trimester schedule.

Specifically, what would happen to the instruction in a class like biology or chemistry when you compress it from two traditional semesters into two-thirds of a school year?

The school district is considering a proposal, made by a committee in December, to implement trimesters in the high schools this coming fall for a two-year pilot project.

On Tuesday, the first public forum took place on the issue at Clay High School. A similar forum will take place at each of the high schools.

Many questions bounced around the room of about 50 people. A few parents simply said they were excited about the opportunities. But there were worries, too.

Trimesters split the year into three 12-week sessions. Students would shift from six 55-minute classes a day to five classes of 70 to 75 minutes. School officials say trimesters will offer more ways to help both struggling and advanced students.

With longer class periods, Hollenberg said, teachers will be able to add activities after a lecture to better help the student absorb the material.

Eric Goss, a parent at Adams High School, is concerned that the district is moving too fast, leading to a "train wreck."

"When we're talking about changing the way we teach, we're talking about large numbers of teachers who are used to teaching a certain way for a long time," he said. "It seems to me there are many, many good things about trimesters. But I'm uncomfortable with the implementation time. It seems rushed."

Hollenberg pointed out that many teachers have experience with a different schedule. In the 1990s, the high schools used a Block 8 schedule.

"It's easy to delay," said Superintendent James Kapsa. "The more you delay, the less opportunities you offer to your students."

Clay Principal Ruth Warren said that, apart from trimesters, there's already a lot of work now with teachers to rethink the strategies used to engage students' minds.

Duane Wilson, one of Clay's assistant principals, said there's an "urgency" to help students who otherwise wouldn't graduate on time because they've struggled. He feels trimesters offer that opportunity.

For advice, Warren said that the schools can call other school districts that have switched to trimesters successfully.

One parent asked about extra classes for advanced-placement students. Warren said some teachers are excited about the chance they would have to offer extra electives Â? the English department feels there really needs to be a speech class, for example.

Asked about homework, Hollenberg said that students now don't always understand their homework. The longer period, he said, will give students a chance to practice lessons in class so they understand them before facing their homework.